Homework for Army integration has already began

Deputy Prime Minister and coordinator of the army integration special committee, Bam Dev Gautam, has said that homework for integration of the Maoist combatants has already begun.

He also said the special committee would complete the army integration process "right on time".

Gautam, who is also the Home Minister in the Maoist-led coalition cabinet, was speaking to reporters in Biratnagar Wednesday, a day after he was appointed as the head of the five-member special committee that has been entrusted with the responsibility to oversee the "integration, management and rehabilitation" of Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The DPM also expressed confidence that the Nepali Congress, which has refused to join the special committee, would rethink their decision.

Answering queries on the proposed talks with the armed groups, Gautam said that formal dialogue with the armed groups operating in Terai and eastern hills would begin very soon.

The tough-talking Home Minister also made it clear that the government would sit for talks with groups that are willing to find a negotiated settlement, but those rejecting the talks offer would be dealt with 'accordingly'.